West Brom manager Pepe Mel causing quite a stir

The Spaniard, 50, will watch his new team from the stands at Southampton today before fully starting the role next week.

Ex-Real Betis chief Mel has been handed an 18-month contract at The Hawthorns - two weeks after talks collapsed over demands about his possible backroom staff.

demands about his possible backroom staff.

The Baggies have always insisted Steve Clarke's successor would have to work alongside current caretaker boss Keith Downing and goalkeeping coach Dean Kiely.

But speaking on Spanish radio, Mel revealed he remains keen for his former assistant Roberto Rios and fitness coach David Gomez to link up with him.

"Roberto and David are two people whom I love and I have helped a lot," said Mel. "From May I hope they can join me."

The only extra member of staff the Baggies plan to make " The only extra member of staff the Baggies plan to make available for Mel, who has been learning English but whose command of the language remains basic, is an interpreter - but NOT any coaches. The own-goal is understood to have angered The Hawthorns hierarchy - and Downing admitted Mel's claims were news to him.

Downing, 48, said: "There are rumours he'll have a translator to help with the language, but other than that it is a case of carrying on as normal and supporting him when he comes in.

“I'm not aware he is going to be bringing anyone else in”

Keith Downing

"I'm not aware he is going to be bringing anyone else in. The remit I have been given is that it is the same structure as it has been in the last four or five years.

"I'm led to believe that will stay in place. "He will get the best support he can. We have a knowledge - having been here the last three or four years - of what the Premier League is like. We can give him the best advice. Then it is down to him."

Downing confirmed that he will have no problem with Mel stepping in at half-time today should he want to get a point across.

He added: "It will be down to him. He will be at the game and he is now head coach so he is able to do that. No problem. If he wants to help, great.

"It is an exciting time. Spanish football is on top of the world game, so he will bring interesting views."

Exciting Mel steered Betis to seventh in La Liga last season but was axed after an eightmatch winless streak at the start of this campaign.

He now hopes to reward chairman Jeremy Peace's faith in him and said: "I always hoped to taste the Premier League. It has always attracted me. I want to enjoy the Premier League.

"West Brom want a Spanish model coach and I hope to show them that they were not wrong. As a player, I wasn't good enough to come here. Now I want to earn the right as a coach."